Toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle including a body having a frame which supports rolling and driving wheels, with the frame being in two portions that move relative to each other and a motor means on one of the frame portions for moving the frame portions relative to each other and driving the driving wheels, with the body having portions interrelated to the frame, so as to move with respect to the frame as the frame components move with respect to each other, whereby the configuration of the vehicle is changed prior to, or as, the vehicle is driven.

United States Patent 1 1 Glass et al. July 31, 1973 TOY VEHICLE 2,607,163 8/1952 LOlll 46/206 2,629,967 3/1963 Lohr et al. 46/206 (75 1 lnvenorsch'cagm 3,300,894 1/1967 Glass et al. 46/204 Morrison, l-llghland Park; Donald F. g g i i fii Robert Allen Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene tan or a o Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting [73] Assignee: Martin Glass 81. Associates, Chicago, Attorney-James Coffee et al.

ill.

22 Filed: Mar. 3, 1972 [571 ABSTRACT A toy vehicle including a body having a frame which [21] Appl' supports rolling and driving wheels, with the frame being in two portions that move relative to each other [52] U.S. Cl 46/202, 46/204, 46/206 and a motor means on one of the frame portions for [51] Int. Cl A63h 11/10 m ving the frame portions relative to each other and [58] Field of Search 46/202, 204, 206, driving t e dri ng wheels. with the y having p 46/243 LV tions interrelated to the frame, so as to move with respect to the frame as the frame components move with References Cited respect to each other, whereby the configuration of the UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1951 Swenson et al. 46/206 vehicle is changed prior to, or as, the vehicle is driven.

16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENIEL JUL 3 1 975 SiEEI 3 BF 6 PATENTED JUL3 l SIEU t 0F 6 PATimiuJuLal I973 saw a or 5 ONN TOY VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to driven toy vehicles and more particularly, to toy vehicles which have components which are movable relative to each other as well as components which are driven to propell the vehicle.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Driven toy vehicles have always been a source of fascination for youngsters. Equally fascinating have been vehicles whose configuration could be changed to alter the physical appearance. In recent years there has been the advent of the so-called customizing of vehicles, by owners thereof, generally in an effort to improve the speed and stability thereof. Such so-called customizing, from time to time, radically alters the basic ap-' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved toy vehicle which is capable of altering its physical configuration as well as being propelled along a surface.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention, includes the provision of a frame having two portions which are linearly extensible relative to each other with urging means interconnecting the frame components for driving one frame component to an extended position, relative to the other component. Means are also provided for propelling the drive wheels of the vehicle which may be associated with a lost motion connection so that drivingengagement does not occur until extension of the frame components terminates. The propelling means may also serve as the urging means. Also, preferably, the vehicle body is associated with the frame component by a pin and slot arrangement, whereby, the body is, vertically and horizontally displaced, relative to the frame component during the extension of one frame component relative to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toy vehicle of this invention in its original or unaltered state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toy vehicle after physical transformation has taken place;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section view through the toy vehicle of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section view through the vehicle of this invention, taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view through the toy vehicle taken generally through the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the toy vehicle similar to FIG. 5, but showing the frame and body component in an intermediate stage of movement relative to each other;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the relative orientation of the frame and body components at the completion of movement of these components relative to each other, or termination of physical transformation of the vehicle;

FIG. 8 is a sectionview taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken generally along the line 9--9 of FIG. 5; a

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the means for locking components of the drive train during winding of the motor;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear driver compartment as shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle is in the completely transformed state;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section view of the toy vehicle of this invention utilizing a modified drive arrangement;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section view taken generally along the line l313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the modified vehicle drive arrangement in one position of extension;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 14 showing the drive arrangement completely extended; and

FIG. 16 is a section view taken generally along the line l616 if FIG. 12.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail different embodiments therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The toy vehicle 10 of this invention includes a simulated automobile body 12 mounted over a frame 14 which is comprised of two relatively movable portions 16 and 18. The frame supports front wheels 20 and 22 which are connected to an axle 24 which spans the frame components and rear wheels 26 and 28 which are connected to an axle 30 which spans the frame components. The body 12 has the usual front wheel openings 32 and rear wheel openings 34. in addition,

the body has movable panels in the form of hood half panels 36 and 38 which are pivoted at 40 to the body. The body also has a pivoted rear panel 42, which is connected to a pin 44 that spans the body, and, on the interior thereof, supports a simulated driver figure, so that, when in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 11, it appears as though a driver is sitting in an open driving compartment.

Portion 18 of frame 14 comprises a generally boxlike member, including side panels 48a and 48b and end panels 480 and 48d which support the motor components and the rear wheel axle 30. A winding shaft 50, which is generally rectangular in configuration, extends between the side panels 48a and 48b and supports a winding spring 52 and main driving gear 54. When the shaft 50 is rotated, the spring 52 will be stressed so that upon the release of winding force from shaft 50, the spring 52 will be in a condition to unwind and cause rotation of the shaft 50 and gear 54 in a well known manner. A winding key 55 is provided with an opening 55a, which is shaped to matingly engage the shaft 50, so that the key 55 is axially removable relative to shaft 50. An opening 55b is provided in the body for inserting the key into a position where the key may engage the shaft 50.

An arcuate slot 56 is provided in each of the panels 48a and 48b for receiving shaft 58. Shaft 58 supports a gear hub 60 and a gear 62, with the gear 62 aligned for meshing engagement with the gear hub 64 on the rear axle 30. The shaft 58 is movable between a retracted position, wherein the gear 62 is disengaged relative to the gear hub 64, and an extended or drive position, wherein the gear 62 is in meshing engagement with the gear hub 64 and therefore, in a condition to drive the rear axle 30. In the illustrated embodiment, it is intended that the retracted or non-engaging position would be at the bottom of the slot 56 and the extended or engaged position would be at the top of the slot 56. Relatively speaking, this arrangement can be considered as a lost motion connection between the main motive source and the rear wheels for driving the rear wheels when the power exerted through the gear train 54, 60 is sufficient to move the shaft 58 upwardly in slot 56 to a position where the gear train 62, 64 may be brought into driving engagement.

Frame 18 also supports a front frame member drive system 65. The front frame member drive system 65 is comprised of a gear drive component and associated governor gear train components. Included in this system is shaft 68 which extends through an arcuate slot 70 in both the panels 48a and 48b. Shaft 68 supports a gear hub 72 which is positioned for engagement with gear 54 and also supports a gear 74 for transferring drive to'the components of the governor gear train. Specifically, a gear hub 76 lies directly below the gear 74 for meshing engagement therewith and is connected with a gear 78, both of which are supported on shaft 79 which span the walls 48a and 48b. The shaft 68 extends through wall 480 and 48b to the exterior thereof, and, at its opposite free end, supports gear hubs 80 and 82 which are positioned for meshing engagement with racks 84 and 86. Racks 84 and 86 are associated with the front frame portion 16 (as will be explained in detail later) for moving the front frame portion as the shaft 68 is rotated.

The remaining components of the governor gear train include a shaft 88 which supports hub 90 and gear 92, with the hub 90 being in meshing engagement with gear 78; a shaft 94 having a hub 98; and a shaft 100 having a hub 102 in engagement with gear 98 and a cylindrical weight 104 supported thereon.

Generally speaking, the arrangement of the front frame member drive system and associated governor train is that of a lost motion connection which enables the gear 54 tohold the shaft 68 in such a position so that the gears 80 and 82 may maintain a driving engagement with the racks 84 and 86 and so that the gear 74 may be maintained in driving engagement with the governor train which will reduce the rate of unwinding of spring 52. However, the shaft 68 may move in the slots 70 to a position where the gears 80 and 82 are released from engagement with the racks 84 and 86 and the gear 74 is brought out of engagement with the governor train. It is intended that when this occurs, the unwinding force exerted by spring 52 will cause the shaft 58 to move upwardly in the slot 56 to thereby bring gear 62 in engagement with hub 64 to drive the rear wheels. Furthermore, since the spring 52 is no longer associated with the governor train, the spring will unwind at a faster rate of speed, permitting the vehicle to be driven at a relatively rapid rate. Thus, by this an rangement, the single motive force of the spring is utilized to first drive the components of the vehicle through a state of transformation at a first, or reduced rate, of activity, and then is utilized to drive the vehicle itself along a supporting surface at second or increased, rate of speed.

The front frame portion 16 is generally U-shaped in plan and in elevation and includes forward upwardly inclined arms 106 and 108 which rotatably support the front axle 24. Front frame portion 16 further includes side panel portions 110 and 112 which generally embrace the frame portion 18 and, furthermore, which are connected to, and support, the racks 84 and 86 which are driven by gears 80 and 82.

A track member 1 14 is interposed between the frame portions 16 and 18. Track member 114 is generally U- shaped in elevation and includes a bottom 1 l6 and up wardly extending side walls 118 and 120. As best seen in FIG. 8, the track member 114 generally embraces the frame structure 18 and is connected therewith. The upper end of side walls 118 and 120 of track member 114 has laterally extending flanges 118a and 1200 which are slidably received in the grooves 122 and 124 of the racks 84 and 86, respectively. By this arrangement, the front frame member 16 is slidably mounted relative to the rear member 18 for movement between a retracted, or collapsed, position, as shown in FIG. 5, to movement to an extended position, as shown in FIG. 7. It is intended that this movement, which is accomplished by the driving of racks 84 and 86 by gears 80 and 82 will be utilized to transform the physical configuration of the vehicle between that shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 2.

The front frame 16 supports a simulated motor 126 which has depending legs 128 and 130 that are connected to the front frame and, particularly, to the side panels 110 and 112 thereof. Each side of the simulated motor 126 has cam follower surfaces 132 which are intended to engage with the depending cam surface 134 on the underside of the hood halves 36 and 38, to raise the hood halves from a collapsed or closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 9, toan open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, when the vehicle goes through the transformation stage as the front frame portion 16 is extended relative to the rear position 18.

A link support bar 136 is positioned below frame 18, track member 114 and front frame section 16 nearthe forward end of frame 18. The bar 136 has intumed ends 138 and 140 and is supported by a depending strap 142 connected to the forward panel 480 of frame 18. The depending strap 142 terminates in sleeve-like end 1420 which embraces the bar 136 to hold the bar in a fixed position and also provides a bearing surface which permitsfront frame section 16 to slide across, or relative to, the bar 136.

A pair of guide arms 144 and 146 are connected at one end to the ends 138 and 140. The guide arms have an upwardly inclined portion 144a and 1460 and a rearwardly horizontally extending portion l44b and 146b, respectively. Each guide arm is provided with a slot 148 and 150, which generally follows the configuration of the arm, so that the slot has a first horizontal portion, a second upwardly inclined portion and a third vertically offset horizontal portion. The rear end of each of the arms 144 and 146 is connected to the posts 152 and 154, which are formed as part of the automobile body l2.'The follower pins 152 and 154 extend outwardly from the rear end of the racks 86 and 84, respectively, and is received in the slots 148 and 150 of the arms 144 and 146. By this arrangement, as the front frame portion 16 extends relative to the rear portion 18 responsive to gears 80 and 82 driving racks 84 and 86, the orientation of the automobile body relative to the frame will be vertically and horizontally offset responsive to the tracking of pins 156 and 158 in the slots 148 and 150 of the arms 144 and 146 which are connected at one end with the frame portion 16 and at the other end to the automobile body.

A strand 160 is connected at one end to an extension 162 of the pivoted panel 42, and at the other end to the track member 114. Since this strand is of a finite length, as the automobile body is vertically displaced responsive to the tracking of the pins 156 and 158 in slots 148 and 150, the connection of the strand 160 between panel 42 and track 114 will cause the panel 42 to be pivoted about its pin 44 and moved to the open position.

At the forward end of the front frame member 16, link bars 166 and 168 are pivotally connected at 170 to the frame 16. At the other end, the bars are connected to a pivotal connection 172 with the automobile body. Thus, during the movement of the automobile body 12 relative to frame 18 responsive to extension of frame 16, the front portion of the body will be guided as the links 166 and 168 travel through an arcuate path of travel.

The toy vehicle of this invention is further provided with a winding lock 169, best illustrated in FIG. and also partially illustrated in FIG. 3. The winding lock 169 includes a simulated tail pipe 170 which is a rodlike structure supported between spaced sleeves 172 and 172b connected to frame 18. The tail pipe 170 includes spaced apart lateral projections 174 and 176, each of which has an inclined locking surface 178 and 180, respectively. The projections 174 and 176 are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the shafts 58 and 180. When the simulated tail pipe 170 is in a retracted, or locked, position as shown-in FIG. 10, the surfaces 178 and 180 are in engagement with the shafts 58 and 100 to prevent rotation thereof. This force operating through the gear trains, will hold the spring 52 against unwinding. Thus, a user may wind up the spring, leave it in its stressed state and place the vehicle on a supporting surface, following which, when ready, he may move the tail pipe to anextended or unlocked position to release the frictional engagement with the shafts 58 and 100 and therefore permit the initiation of operation of the motive source of power provided by the spring 152.

To review the operation, a user may first wind the motive source of power through means of the key 55, shaft 50 and spring 52, with the tail pipe 170 in a retracted or locked position, which prevents the elements of the associated gear train from operating. The user may then place the vehicle 10 on a supporting surface and release the lock 169, by retracting tail pipe 170.

This will permit the spring 52 to unwind and, initially,

exert its motive force on the hub 72 by forcing the same downwardly in the slot 70. This will cause part of the power of the unwinding spring to be dissipated through the governor train 65, with the remainder thereof, transferred to the rotation of the gears 80 and 82, in engagement with the racks 84 and 86. During this period of time, the front frame member 16 extends relative to the rear member 18, causing the vehicle body to go through a state :of physical transformation from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 2 through the assistance of the following pins 156 and 158 in the arms 144 and 1 46 and the guidance of the links 166 and168. Thus, the vehicle body will be rearwardly displaced, as well as being upwardly displaced at the rear, and the simulated motor 126 will project through the openhood halves 36 and 38 with the panel 42 opening to produce a simulated driver in a compartment at the rear. When this motion terminates, the gears and 82 will have reached the end of their engagement with the racks 84 and will continue to rotate on the smooth surface of the racks. At this point, the shaft 68 will rise in the slot 70, so that the motive force exerted by the spring 52 will then cause the shaft 58 to move upwardly in the slot 56 to put the gears 62 and 64 into engagement to drive the rear wheels. Because the spring 62 will no longer be associated with the governor train 65, the spring will unwind at a faster rate of speed so that the vehicle may be propelled along a sup porting surface at a relatively rapid rate of speed. Once the spring is completely unwound, a participant may return the vehicle 10 in its original configuration as shown in FIG. 1 by merely urging thefront and rear wheels together which will reverse the transformation previously accomplished through the aforementioned mechanical arrangement and gear train.

A modified form of the toy vehicle of this invention is shown in FIGS. 12 through 16. As disclosed therein the vehicle 210 would be intended to include a simulated body 12 in the same form as previously described, mounted over a frame 214, comprised of two relatively movable portions 216 and 218. Frame 214 supports front wheels 220 and 222 which are connected to an axle 224 spanning the frame components and rear wheels 226 and 228 connected to an axle 230 which also spans the frame components.

Portion 218 of frame 214 comprises a generally boxlike member, including side panels 248a and 248b and end panels 248c and 248d which support motor components and the rear axle 230. A winding shaft, which again is preferably rectangular in configuration, extends between the side panels 248a and 248b and supports a winding spring 252 and driving gear 254. Spring 252 has an end extension 252a which is captivated in a bar 252b which spans sides 248a and 248b. The winding key 55 previously referred to, may be utilized for winding the shaft 250.

An arcuate slot 256 is provided in each of the panels 248a and 248b near axle 230 for receiving the shaft 258. Shaft 258 supports a hub 260 and a gear 262, with the gear 262 aligned for meshing engagement with the gear hub 264 on rear axle 230. Rear axle 230 also supports a cam 2640 for a purpose to be explained.

The modified embodiment 210 is further provided with a front frame member drive system 265. The front frame member drive system 265includes gear train components operatively associated with the front frame portion 216 and and the rear frame portion 218 to cause extension of the two components relative to each other which will be translated into transformation of the vehicle body 12 as previously described.

Front framev portion 216 is generally a U-shaped channel, both in section as well as in plan, and includes a bottom panel 266a and upright side panels 26612 and 266c. Generally speaking, the sides and bottom embrace the rear frame portion 218, and specifically, the interior of walls 266b and 266c are provided with notches or grooves 267 for receiving lateral rails 268 of frame portion 218 to guide the same in a to-and-fro movement.

Front panel 248a of rear frame 218 is provided with a forwardly extending tongue 269. A spring 270 is connected at one end 270a with tongue 269 and at the other end 270b with a finger on the rear of the panel Bottom 266 is provided with a rack 272 which is intended for engagement with the gear train 274.

Specifically, gear train 274 includes a rod 276 which spans the walls 248a and 248b at the top thereof and supports a leaf 278 having an inverted V-shaped offset portion 278a and a weighted end 278b. Leaf 278 is part of an escapement mechanism which includes a star gear 280 mounted on rotatable shaft 282 which also supports gear hub 284. Gear hub 284 is in meshing engagement with gear 286 mounted on rotatable shaft 288, and gear 286 is in meshing engagement with gear hub 290 on shaft 292. Shaft 292 also supports gear 294 which is in meshing engagement with the rack 272.

When frame portions 216 and 218 are retracted relative to each other, such as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the spring 270 is stretched, or placed in a deformed state where it exerts a force tending to pull the two frame portions apart. The gear train 274 provides a governor escapement mechanism in that, during the separation of the two frame portions under the urging of spring 270, this movement is governed in a slowly progressive fashion by reason of the tracking of gear 294 of the gear train 274 along rack 272.

Means are provided for locking the fame portions 214 and 216 against extension relative to each other in opposition to the urging of the spring 270. Included in this means 296, is a simulated tail pipe 298 connected to a bent, offset wire form 300, which extends through the bar 252b and is provided an offset portion 302 on the other side of the bar 252b. Wire form 300 terminates in an end 304, which end overlies the weighted end 278b of lead 278 when the wire form 300 is in the retracted or locking position. This will prevent movement of the leaf 278, thereby holding one of the points of the star gear 280 within the inverted V-portion 2700 of leaf 278, thereby preventing movement of the gear train 274 and thus, locking the gear 294 with respect to the rack 270. However, when the simulated tail pipe .298 is pulled rearwardly, to move the wire form 300 to an extended or unlocking position, this will permit the gear train 274 to move in a step-by-step fashion, thereby permitting the relative movement between the frame portions 216 and 218 responsive to the urging of the spring 270. v

The modified embodiment 210 of this invention is further provided with an arm 310 which is pivoted about the winding shaft 250 within bearing means 311. The arm 310 includes a forward end 312 and a rear end 314, and, in the illustrated embodiment, arm 310 is pivoted over center, that is, closer to its rear end 314 than to its forward end 312. Forward end 312 is provided with an inclined lateral extension 316 which is intended to be matingly received in the stepped reduction 318 in side wall 248a. The rear end 314 of arm 310 is provided with a lateral extension 320 which is intended to overlie the cam 264a of rear axle 230. in operation, when the locking device 296 has been released, the frame portions 216 and 218 are driven apart under the urging of spring 270 and the controlled driving engagement between gear 294 and rack 272, as previously explained. The extension 316 of arm 310 rides on the top wall 269 until such time as the extension 316 approaches the stepped recess 318. This will generally coincide with the terminus of the travel of gear 294 along rack 272. At this time, arm 310 will drop into the recess 318 thereby moving the lateral extension 320 away from cam 264a. This will permit the rear axle to rotate and will cause the gear 254 to urge the shaft 258 upwardly in slot 256 so that the gear hub 264 on axle 230 may be engaged with the gear 262 to thereby drive the rear axle and therefore, the vehicle along a supporting surface. Again, as was the case described with respect to embodiment l0, first the physical transformation of the vehicle will take place responsive to the relative movement between the two frame portions, following which the vehicle will be driven along a supporting surface.

Thus, it can be seen that the toy vehicle of this invention provides the 'unique fascination of undergoing a physical transformation. Moreover, this transformation is such that it simulates the so-called customizing of automobiles into a dragster. Moreover, following the transformation, the vehicle is then capable of being propelled along a supporting surface and. both transformation and propulsion may be accomplished with a single motive means of power, shown in the preferred illustrated embodiment as a spring motor.

We claim:

1. A toy vehicle comprising:

means defining a simulated automobile body, frame means supporting said body including first and second frame portions which are movable relative to each other, said body at least having portions which are movable relative to said frame, said frame means supporting wheel means for maintaining the body supported relative to a supporting surface;

means interconnecting said'body with said frame for movement of at least portions of said body responsive to movement of said portions relative to each other;

and means on said frame for moving said frame portions relative to each other and for driving said wheels to propel said vehicle along a supporting surface.

2. The toy vehicle of claim I wherein the means for moving said frame portion and rear wheels includes a lost motion connection for moving said wheels; said lost motion connection being related to said means for moving said body to hold said means for driving said wheels out of operational engagement until said movement of said body portions relative to said frame is completed.

3. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein said frame portions extend linearly relative to each other.

4. The toy vehicle of claim 3 wherein said body is connected to said frame portions for both vertical and horizontal displacement during relative movement of said frame portions.

5."The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least some movable portions of the body are connected to the frame by strand means whereby the strand is pulled responsive to movement of the frame components to thereby cause movement of the movable body portions.

6. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the body, as an entirety, is also movable relative to said frame with track means being provided on one of the body and frame and associated follower means is provided on the other of the body and frame for tracking in the track means to cause movement of the body through a path of travel responsive to movement of said frame portions relative to each other.

7. The toy vehicle of claim 2 wherein the lost motion connection is established by providing an elongate slot through which a shaft for one gear of the drive train is mounted so that the shaft is movable from one end of the slot and a non-driving position, to the other end of the slot where the gear is in driving engagement with another gear member of the train.

8. The toy vehicle of claim I wherein the first and second frame portions are normally biased for extension relative to each other with an escapement mechanism interposed therebetween.

9. The toy vehicle of claim 8 wherein a spring motor is provided for driving the rear wheels following an extension of frame components relative to each other.

10. The toy vehicle of claim 9 wherein lock means is provided for preventing the rear wheels from being driven until the extension of the frame components is completed.

11. The toy vehicle of claim 10 wherein lock means include a radial extension on the rear axle and a follower associated with the frame having a portion which normally overhangs the radial extension to prevent ro tation of the axle with the follower being mounted for movement away from a locking position responsive to movement of said frame components to an extended position.

12. The toy vehicle of claim 11 wherein the follower is an arm which is pivoted in overcenter fashion to one frame component and has a portion which rides on the other frame component with said other frame component having a recess therein into which said follower drops as said frame components extend relative to each other.

13. The toy vehicle of claim 8 wherein lock means is provided to hold the two frame components retracted in opposition to the biasing means including an arm adjacent to the escapement mechanism and movable between a retracted position, wherein the arm blocks movement of the escapement mechanism, and therefore, prevents movement of the two frame portions, to an extended position where the escapement mechanism is free to operate.

14. The toy vehicle of claim 2 wherein a single motor means is provided for moving the frame portions and rear wheels, the motor means being associated with a gear train for driving the frame portions and another gear train for driving the wheel portions with the lost motion connection for the rear wheel drive comprising a slotted mounting of one of the shafts of the rear wheel drive train.

15. The toy vehicle of claim 14 wherein the front gear train also includes a gear shaft which is movably mounted relative to the remainder of the gear train for movement between a driving position and a nondriving position responsive to forces imposed thereon.

16. The toy vehicle of claim 14 wherein locking means is provided for holding the means for moving the frame portions and for driving the wheels, and includes a locking member having a gear shaft engaging portion which is movable between a locking position, wherein portions abut at least one gear shaft with a gear train and prevent rotation thereof, and a release position, wherein the gear shaft engaging portion is moved away from the gear shafts of the gear train, whereby rotation of the gear shaft is permitted. 

1. A toy vehicle comprising: means defining a simulated automobile body, frame means supporting said body including first and second frame portions which are movable relative to each other, said body at least having portions which are movable relative to said frame, said frame means supporting wheel means for maintaining the body supported relative to a supporting surface; means interconnecting said body with said frame for movement of at least portions of said body responsive to movement of said portions relative to each other; and means on said frame for moving said frame portions relative to each other and for driving said wheels to propel said vehicle along a supporting surface.
 2. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said frame portion and rear wheels includes a lost motion connection for moving said wheels; said lost motion connection being related to said means for moving said body to hold said means for driving said wheels out of operational engagement until said movement of said body portions relative to said frame is completed.
 3. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein said frame portions extend linearly relative to each other.
 4. The toy vehicle of claim 3 wherein said body is connected to said frame portions for both vertical and horizontal displacement during relative movement of said frame portions.
 5. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least some movable portions of the body are connected to the frame by strand means whereby the strand is pulled responsive to movement of the frame components to thereby cause movement of the movable body portions.
 6. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the body, as an entirety, is also movable relative to said frame with track means being provided on one of the body and frame and associated follower means is provided on the other of the body and frame for tracking in the track means to cause movement of the body through a path of travel responsive to movement of said frame portions relative to each other.
 7. The toy vehicle of claim 2 wherein the lost motion connection is established by providing an elongate slot through which a shaft for one gear of the drive train is mounted so that the shaft is movable from one end of the slot and a non-driving position, to the other end of the slot where the gear is in driving engagement with another gear member of the train.
 8. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first and second frame portions are normally biased for extension relative to each other with an escapement mechanism interposed therebetween.
 9. The toy vehicle of claim 8 wherein a spring motor is provided for driving the rear wheels following an extension of frame components relative to each other.
 10. The toy vehicle of claim 9 wherein lock means is provided for preventing the rear wheels from being driven until the extension of the frame components is completed.
 11. The toy vehicle of claim 10 wherein lock means include a radial extension on the rear axle and a follower associated with the frame having a portion which normally overhangs the radial extension to prevent rotation of the axle with the follower being mounted for movement away from a locking position responsive to movement of said frame components to an extended position.
 12. The toy vehicle of claim 11 wherein the follower is an arm which is pivoted in overcenter fashion to one frame component and has a portion which rides on the other frame component with said other frame component having a recess therein into which said follower drops as said frame components extend relative to each other.
 13. The toy vehicle of claim 8 wherein lock means is provided to hold the two frame components retracted in opposition to the biasing means including an arm adjacent to the escapement mechanism and movable between a retracted position, wherein the arm blocks movement of the escapement mechanism, and therefore, prevents movement of the two frame portions, to an extended position where the escapement mechanism is free to operate.
 14. The toy vehicle of claim 2 wherein a single motor means is provided for moving the frame portions and rear wheels, the motor means being associated with a gear train for driving the frame portions and another gear train for driving the wheel portions with the lost motion connection for the rear wheel drive comprising a slotted mounting of one of the shafts of the rear wheel drive train.
 15. The toy vehicle of claim 14 wherein the front gear train also includes a gear shaft which is movably mounted relative to the remainder of the gear train for movement between a driving position and a non-driving position responsive to forces imposed thereon.
 16. The toy vehicle of claim 14 wherein locking means is provided for holding the means for moving the frame portions and for driving the wheels, and includes a locking member having a gear shaft engaging portion which is movable between a locking position, wherein portions abut at least one gear shaft with a gear train and prevent rotation thereof, and a release position, wherein the gear shaft engaging portion is moved away from the gear shafts of the gear train, whereby rotation of the geaR shaft is permitted. 